8.

Cell: Structure and Functions

Check point 1

1. Question

The arrangement of cells is comparable to bricks of building. Why?

Answer

Although cells are living structures and bricks are non-living, the
arrangement of cells is comparable to bricks of building because like
buildings made of same bricks have different shapes, sizes and designs,
similarly organisms are made up of same cells but are different from each
other. Organism made of single cell are called unicellular organisms whereas,
organisms made up of more than 1 cell are called multicellular organisms.

2. Question

Robert Hooke observed cell by viewing which structure?

Answer

Robert Hooke observed cell by viewing thin slices of cork. He observed that
the cork was made up of tiny hollow compartments separated from each
other by wall or partition. He gave these compartment the name “cell”.
Robert Hooke was actually observing dead plant’s cell wall and empty
spaces.

3. Question

Cell theory was re ined in 1855. Name the scientist who is credited for it.

Answer

Rudolf Virchow in 1855 re ined the cell theory. He added the 3rd part to cell
theory which stated that all cells come from existing cells. This statement is
presently known as the “Biogenic Law”.

Check point 2

1. Question

Are cells living or non-living?

Answer
Cells are living. All living beings are made up of cell. It is a membrane
covered structure containing all the material needed for life. Cells are the
basic unit of life.

2. Question

One cell performs all life activities in unicellular organisms. State yes or no.

Answer

Yes, one cell performs all life activities in unicellular organisms. Unicellular
organisms (prokaryotes and eukaryote) are made up of just one cell and all
the things needed for the survival of the organism takes place in that one cell.
Thus, one cell carries out all the functions in unicellular organisms.

3. Question

Give the organisation of a multicellular organism.

Answer

The organisation of a multicellular organism is as follows- Cells-Tissues-

Organ-Organ System-Organism.

Cell are the smallest unit of life that carry out all the functions of living
beings. Group of cells of the same type form tissue that perform speci ic
function in the organism. Several types of tissue form organ which carry out
particular functions. Several organs together form organ system which work
together to perform a function. All the organ systems together form a
multicellular organism.

4. Question

Is there any relation between size of organism and number of cells?

Answer

In multicellular organisms, there is no relation between size of organism and

number of cells. In unicellular organisms, since there is a single cell, the size
of the organism will be equally big as the size of the single cell.

Check point 3

1. Question

Do all organism have a cell membrane?

Answer

Yes, all organisms have a cell membrane. It is one of the basic component of
cell that encloses the other basic components-cytoplasm and nucleus. The
cell membrane separates the cells from one another and controls the
movement of materials in and out of the cell. Both plant and animals have cell
membrane. In plants it is inside the cell wall and in animals it is the outer
layer of the cell.

2. Question

Name an additional feature of a plant cell.

Answer

Few additional features of plant cell are that they possess cell wall and have
chloroplast, which are not found in animal cells. Both, animal and plant cells
have nucleus, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria,
endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes.

3. Question

In which part of cell, most of the chemical reactions take place?

Answer

Most of the chemical reactions in a cell take place in the cytoplasm. It is a

jelly-like substance enclosed by the cell membrane. It consists of all the
organelles that carry out speci ic functions and all the chemical reactions
take place here in cytoplasm.

4. Question

Where are chromosomes found in a cell?

Answer

Chromosomes are found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cell. These are rod like
structures made up of condensed chromatin. The genes and DNA which carry
the genetic information are found on these chromosomes.

Check point 4

1. Question

Give an example of an organisms with well-de ined nucleus.

Answer

Eukaryotic cells have a well-de ined nucleus. The nucleus contains

chromosomes and is surrounded by nuclear membrane. Plant and animal
cells are eukaryotic cell. Yeast, paramecia, amoeba are also examples of
eukaryotes.

2. Question

Name the green coloured plastid, essential for plants.

Answer

The green coloured plastid essential for plants is chloroplast. These plastids
are double membrane structures found only in plants. Chloroplast is essential
for plant since it contains chlorophyll which is required for photosynthesis
by plants.

3. Question

An organelle provides energy to the cell. Give its name and location.

Answer

Mitochondria is the organelle that provides energy to the cell. It is a tiny oval
shaped organelle found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and is not found
in prokaryotic cells. Aerobic respiration occurs in mitochondria that
generates energy for the cell. Energy is generated in the form of ATP.

Chapter Test

1. Question

A group of cells performing similar functions are known by a speci ic term.

What is it?

Answer

Group of cells of the same type that perform speci ic function in the organism
are known as tissue.

2. Question

The fundamental unit of life is cell. Comment.

Answer

All living beings are made up of cell which is the basic unit of life. Cell carries
out all the functions necessary for living beings, like nutrition, excretion,
respiration, reproduction and transportation. A Cell also exists independently
in unicellular organism and supports life. Thus, cell is called the fundamental
unit of life.

3. Question

Amoeba can attain the shape of Paramecium. Can Paramecium attain the
shape of Amoeba?

Answer

No, paramecium cannot attain the shape of Amoeba. Amoeba has no de inite
shape, so it can obtain the shape of paramecium since its shape changes as it
moves. Paramecium already has a slipper like shape.
4. Question

The largest loating body is generally in the centre of a cell. Give its name.

Answer

Nucleus is the largest loating body generally in the centre of a cell. It is the
control centre of the cell and is a membrane bound organelle found in
eukaryotic cell. The nucleus contains DNA with histones that form the
chromosome.

5. Question

Which is the largest cell in human body?

Answer

The largest cell in human body is the female ovum or egg with a diameter of
1000 micrometres. Ovum is the female reproductive cell and is found in the
ovaries.

6. Question

Write functions of cell membrane.

Answer

Cell membrane is the thin outermost layer of cells. It functions to keep the
cytoplasm and organelles inside the cell. Since it is semi permeable, it
regulates the entry and exit of water, soluble molecules and other materials.
Cell membrane also helps in communicating with other cells & provides
protection and support to the cell.

7. Question

Write the name of control centre of cell.

Answer

Nucleus is the control centre of the cell. It is the largest loating body found
in the cell. Nucleus controls and regulates all the cell activities. The DNA of
the cell is found here in nucleus.

8. Question

Why does a red blood cell not reproduce?

Answer

Red blood cell do not reproduce because they do not contain nucleus, thus
they do not have DNA which is the genetic material needed for reproduction.

9. Question
Mention the size of an ostrich egg. Is it a single cell of a group of cells?

Answer

An ostrich’s egg is 15 centimetres in length and 13 centimetres wide. The

weight of this egg is about 1.5 kg and it is single cell which is believed to be
the largest existing single cell today.

10. Question

Draw a labelled diagram to show the general structure of a cell.

Answer

11. Question

Plant and animal specimens are usually stained with dyes before observing
them. Give reasons and name one dye used of the purpose.

Answer

Plant and animal specimens are usually stained with dyes before observing
them because they are transparent and will not be visible to naked eye.
Hence, they are stained and then observed under a microscope, staining
makes them clearly visible. Animal cells are stained with methylene blue and
plant cells are stained with iodine.

12. Question

In the organisation of multicellular organisms, what are the lower levels of

organisation?

Answer

The lower levels of organisation in multicellular organism are cells, tissues

and organs. Cell are the smallest unit of life that carry out all the functions of
living beings. Group of cells of the same type together form tissue that
perform speci ic function in the organism. Several types of tissue form organ
which carry out particular functions. Organ system and inally organism are
the levels followed after these 3 lower levels.

13. Question

Write the difference between plant cell and animal cell.

Answer

14. Question

Write the importance of lagella.

Answer

Flagella is a whip like structure that allows a cell to move. Flagella is

important because it helps in locomotion by allowing microtubules to slide
against one another and thereby producing a bending motion. A cell is able to
move or swim across the cell surface due to the organization of lagella.

15. Question
Chloroplasts are found only in plant cell. Explain.

Answer

Chloroplast are double membrane structures found only in plants. They are
found only in plants because they contain chlorophyll which is required for
photosynthesis by plants. Chloroplast is a plastid which is found in plants
only and not in animal cells.

16. Question

With the help of examples, show the variation in size and shape.

Answer

Different cells perform different functions and they have different shapes and
sizes.

For example, nerve cells have ibres that may be more than one meter long.

Muscle cells are long and thin. This helps the muscle cells in expansion and
contraction. White blood cells can change their shape, and this helps them to
destroy germs. Plant cells located on the outer part of the stem have thick
walls for support. Some cells in plants are used to store food, and these cells
are larger than other cells.

17. Question

Tabulate differences between plant and animal cell with diagram of onion
peel cells and cheek cells.

Answer
18. Question

How can you differentiate prokaryotes from eukaryotes?

Answer
169. Question

De ine cell and tissue.

Answer

Cells are the basic unit of live. It is a membrane covered structure containing
all the material needed for life. Cell are the smallest unit of life that carry out
all the functions of living beings.

Tissue is a group of cells of the same type that perform speci ic function in
the organism.
20. Question

Explain the structure and function of the nucleons.

Answer

The nucleus is a cell organelle found in eukaryotic cells. It is bound by the

membrane and contains the cell’s hereditary information i.e. it contains the
information that will be passed on.

Structure:

• The nucleus is surrounded by a membrane known as the nuclear membrane.

• The nuclear envelope has pores through which the RNA and proteins pass
through.

• The nucleus contains DNA and RNA which form chromatin.

• When chromatin condenses, it forms chromosomes.

• There is another structure called nucleolus present inside of the nucleus.

• The nucleolus is made up of RNA and proteins.

• There is another substance present inside the nucleus. It is known as the

nucleoplasm. It is a gel like substance.

Function:

• Nucleus is like the brain of the cell.

• Nucleus stores the genetic information in the form of DNA.

• It is the DNA that contains all the information regarding how the cell would
work.

• The nucleus also aids in cell division.

• It is the nucleus that makes RNA which is then made into proteins.